2021 Ford Expedition vs 2022 Jeep Compass

The 2021 Ford Expedition Platinum greeted us at Los Angeles International Airport, a plush and roomy sight after a week in a rented Dodge Grand Caravan. Despite its luxurious Platinum trim, which caps a lineup starting at $50,595 and culminating at $74,375, the Expedition struggled to accommodate our cargo. With Magnetic gray paint, 4WD, and a Heavy Duty Trailer Tow Package, the total cost of our test vehicle was $80,510. However, the standard-length model couldn't fit all our luggage, forcing one passenger to carry a suitcase on her lap for the 40-mile ride home.

Despite this, the Expedition Platinum's big and bold presence, with its chrome grille and 22-inch machined-face aluminum wheels, made a strong impression. The extended-length MAX version would have solved our cargo issue, offering more space for passengers and luggage. Inside, the leather-lined cabin, though featuring some hard plastic, provided comfort for our six-person crew. The Expedition's interior, while luxurious, reminded us of its origins, suggesting that those seeking more refinement might consider the Lincoln Navigator.

The 2022 Jeep Compass, despite exterior updates, retained its familiar look, reminiscent of a shrunken Grand Cherokee. Our High Altitude test vehicle, with its 19-inch multi-spoke wheels and dark sparkly finish, exuded an upscale, small Jeep vibe. Inside, the Compass High Altitude impressed with a new dashboard design, digital instrumentation, and luxury-grade leather seats, elevating its sophistication.

The High Altitude, the priciest Compass model, starts at $26,020 and goes up to $35,085, excluding a $1,595 destination charge. Our test vehicle, equipped with AWD and various option packages, had an MSRP of $40,470. The interior featured eight-way power-adjustable front seats, heating and ventilation, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats. The redesigned dashboard, new Uconnect 5 infotainment system, and premium materials significantly improved the Compass's perceived quality and sophistication.

The 2021 Ford Expedition featured a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, a 10-speed automatic transmission, and either RWD or 4WD. The engine produced 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, with the Platinum trim boosting these figures to 400 hp and 480 lb-ft. Towing capacity ranged from 9,000 to 9,300 pounds, and the Pro Trailer Backup Assist technology made maneuvering trailers easier. The Expedition's acceleration was impressive, even with a full load, and the twin-turbo V6 emitted a pleasant engine note. However, the 22-inch wheels on the Platinum trim affected ride quality, transmitting road shock into the cabin.

The Expedition's adaptive damping suspension and four-wheel independent suspension kept it stable on the road. The FX4 Off-Road Package, available on XLT and Limited models, added off-road capabilities, but our Platinum model lacked this option. On our evaluation loop, the Expedition averaged 17.1 mpg, slightly below the EPA's combined rating of 19 mpg.

The 2022 Jeep Compass came with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 177 horsepower and 172 pound-feet of torque. Despite its "Tigershark" name, the engine lacked power, especially at higher altitudes. The nine-speed automatic transmission, paired with AWD, aimed to maximize fuel efficiency but often felt busy and unrewarding. The automatic stop/start system was slow to re-engage, leading to hard engagement and sluggish acceleration.

The Compass High Altitude featured Jeep Selec-Terrain with Auto, Snow, and Sand/Mud modes, and the Active Drive AWD system could send power to the rear wheels when needed. The EPA rated the Compass at 25 mpg in combined driving, but we averaged 23.8 mpg. With 8.1 inches of ground clearance, the Compass handled light off-roading and snow well. The Trailhawk trim offered more off-road capabilities, including a low range and 8.6 inches of ground clearance. The Compass felt nimble and maneuverable, but its short-wheelbase design led to a bouncy ride on uneven pavement.

The 2021 Ford Expedition's regular-length model struggled to transport more than five people and their luggage simultaneously. The extended-length Expedition MAX offered more cargo space, with 34.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 73.3 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 121.5 cubic feet. The Expedition's independent rear suspension ensured comfort for all passengers, and the power-deploying running boards made entry and exit easy. The front seats offered a massage function, but the rear seats lacked this feature. Storage was plentiful, but the high cargo floor liftover height could be challenging when loading heavy items.

The 2022 Jeep Compass, positioned between the Renegade and Cherokee, offered enough space for four adults and their luggage. The High Altitude trim featured eight-way power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats. The dual-pane panoramic sunroof and redesigned dashboard added to the premium feel. The new Uconnect 5 infotainment system, integrated air vents, and reworked controls improved the interior's perceived quality. The Compass offered 27.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat and a maximum of 59.8 cubic feet with the rear seat folded, exceeding the cargo capacity of the more expensive Cherokee model.

The 2021 Ford Expedition's Sync 3 infotainment system, though user-friendly, showed its age with a recessed 8-inch touchscreen display. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, FordPass Connect services, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and a navigation system. Amazon Alexa compatibility and enhanced voice recognition were also part of Sync 3. The test vehicle featured a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium sound system and wireless smartphone charging but lacked the available dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system.

The 2022 Jeep Compass introduced the new Uconnect 5 infotainment system, which was five times faster than the previous version. An 8.4-inch touchscreen was standard, with a 10.1-inch touchscreen available as an upgrade. Uconnect 5 supported wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, an Amazon Alexa skill, satellite radio, and voice text-to-reply capability. Over-the-air updates kept the system current, and additional features included a navigation system, connected services, a WiFi hotspot, Alexa Built-In, and a wireless device charging pad. The voice recognition system was fast and accurate, though it struggled with specific requests like finding the nearest hospital.

The 2021 Ford Expedition, with a curb weight of at least 5,368 pounds, had a safety advantage over many vehicles. The NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall crash-test rating, though the RWD model received a three-star rollover-resistance rating, while the 4WD model earned four stars. Standard safety features included Ford Co-Pilot360, which offered forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high-beam headlights. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, a semi-autonomous parking assistance system, and a 360-degree surround-view camera system.

The 2022 Jeep Compass improved its safety features, with standard forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Later in the model year, the Compass would add Highway Assist, combining adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance for highway driving. Available features included a parallel and perpendicular parking assistance system and a 360-degree surround-view camera system. During testing, the adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping systems worked well, though the lane-keep assist was overly insistent at lower speeds. The forward-collision warning system occasionally gave false positives, and the adaptive cruise control struggled with the engine's lack of power.